Michael Montgomery
Executive Director
Michael Montgomery has more than 30 years experience as the executive officer of economic development organizations and as a consultant to all orders of government in Atlantic Canada. Michael has served as Executive Director of the HCC since 2007 advancing the industry campaign for mandatory licensing and certification while researching and planning for the labour market needs of the industry. He is a strong advocate for enhanced professionalization and a vocal supporter of improvements to apprenticeship systems to make apprenticeship more adaptive and responsive to the needs of workers and industry while increasing enrollments and completions. Michael is a graduate and class valedictorian of Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Economics and has completed studies at the graduate and certificate levels in business and economic development at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and the University of Waterloo in Ontario.
Jessica Ward
Operations & Project Development Manager
As the Operations and Project Development Manager at HCC, Jessica is a dynamic leader and entrepreneur with a passion for community development, operations management, and business growth. In addition to her work with HCC, Jessica is the Co-Founder and Director of The Space & Company, where she oversees creative business ventures and strengthens community connections. Her ability to balance strategy with creativity has been key to the company’s growth and success. Jessica also serves as the Vice-Chair for the Farm to Feast Cafe Association, contributing her expertise to initiatives that bring together sustainable agriculture and dignified access to food - for everyone. Her dedication to fostering partnerships and driving development reflects her commitment to building inclusive, thriving communities. A skilled multi-tasker with a strong background in project management, business development, and community engagement, Jessica is passionate about creating lasting impact through collaboration and leadership.
Emma Langenhoff
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
As the Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Emma brings her passion for storytelling and strategic thinking to the housing construction industry. Emma specializes in crafting effective communication materials, creating meaningful partnerships, and designing impactful marketing and communication plans for campaigns. In her role, Emma thrives on developing innovative strategies to promote the sector’s goals, raise awareness about its initiatives, and strengthen connections with industry stakeholders. Her work involves managing social media channels, developing promotional content, coordinating events, and ensuring consistent and engaging messaging across all platforms.
Devin Ruelland
Industry and Community Engagement Coordinator
As the organization’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Devin is proud to publicly represent HCC at industry events and bring attention to their ongoing efforts to foster a prosperous and sustainable housing industry in Nova Scotia. Devin also works closely with the council’s community partners, forging and maintaining connections between employers, job seekers, and local governments in order to strengthen the province’s home building workforce. Devin is a dedicated educator who sees his work in the construction industry as an excellent opportunity to both build up and give back to his local community. With a background in academic mentorship and client management, as well as extensive experience with the promotion and administration of workplace training, Devin has a deep passion for helping workers and businesses learn, develop, and thrive
Nicholas Pinsent
Advancement Coach
As the HCC’s Advancement Coach, Nicholas brings a background in Recruitment, HR, and Marketing. With a passion for recruitment, he is working to connect and provide support to employers, job seekers, and local governments throughout the province. With a focus on providing an opportunity for training and development, Nicholas works closely with provincial apprenticeship programs, community colleges, industry training partners, and individual builders to ensure the suitability, relevancy, and capacity of education and training programs to meet the workforce needs. Nicholas has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University, along with a background working within local schools and colleges to provide education, and connect students with industry professionals. With a spirited personality and passion for the industry, Nicholas continues to focus on the attraction and retention of job seekers within Nova Scotia.